US Defenseless Against North Korean EMP Threat

[livingston]

US Defenseless Against North Korean EMP Threat
US Defenseless Against North Korean EMP Threat
WASHINGTON —

The electric grid in the United States remains largely unprotected, according to a longtime adviser to Congress on national security issues.

Peter Vincent Pry told VOA he believes North Korea is ready to attempt a strike on the U.S. electric grid using an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP). Pry said North Korea practiced an EMP strike against the U.S. last year when it orbited a satellite at the optimal altitude and trajectory to carry out such an attack.

Pry is in the northern city of Minneapolis to brief the National Council of State Legislatures this week on the EMP threat. He told VOA that three U.S. states - Arizona, Maine and Virginia - have passed legislation trying to guard against a lengthy power outage following an EMP.

Pry was a member of the former Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack (2001-2008). He also is executive director of the Task Force on National and Homeland Security, a congressional advisory board dedicated to achieving protection of the United States from electromagnetic pulse and other threats.

 

[dsdmmat]

Ehhh their nukes would have to make it past the Sea of Japan first.

 

[Phazer]

Anti-missile systems will work against a single or very small number of launch vehicles. North Korea does not have a large stockpile of ICBM-size launchers...yet.

North Korea's current leader is probably not suicidal. Even if he is, his military commanders probably aren't. Such a strike by North Korea would potentially result in a massive cruise missile attack on all of their anti-aircraft systems. After that, American bombers could destroy most of North Korea's military infrastructure with conventional munitions. Then...complete regime change and complete North Korean disarmament.

What would happen to South Korea and our forces on the border from a probably simultaneous strike (along with attempted attack against U.S.) across the DMV, who knows?

 

[ProgSpear]

My guess is the Chi-Coms would probably pile on with us on fatboy Kim for messing with their numero uno trading partner. If they collapsed our economy, what happens to theirs? If we stop buying lawn chairs and Christmas tree lights, they have a problem.

 

[FrankenCub]

Anti-missile systems will work against a single or very small number of launch vehicles. North Korea does not have a large stockpile of ICBM-size launchers...yet.

North Korea's current leader is probably not suicidal. Even if he is, his military commanders probably aren't. Such a strike by North Korea would potentially result in a massive cruise missile attack on all of their anti-aircraft systems. After that, American bombers could destroy most of North Korea's military infrastructure with conventional munitions. Then...complete regime change and complete North Korean disarmament.

What would happen to South Korea and our forces on the border from a probably simultaneous strike (along with attempted attack against U.S.) across the DMV, who knows?

You don't need an ICBM. How heavy a warhead would it take to create a serious EMP? Serious question. I don't follow that stuff.
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 - Wikipedia
I just find it hard to believe NK is concerned with normal uses of satellites.

 

[Blimey]

With the development today I am reevaluating my stance on NK. Until today I was of the opinion that nothing would take them from their nuclear ambitions other than a military action. I still have that. But I was also of the opinion that NK was not crazy. Now I believe they are. With Trump in the past week attacking Syria, using a MOAB, diverting a carrier to NK, and tweeting threats to them, they would have to be certifiable to do what they just did today (missile test, albeit a failure).

Kim is indeed nuts.

As for their ability to attack the US I think they still do not have one (even though our missile defense is apparently pretty damn shitty--NK has no ICBM). If they hit the US with anything Pyongyang is flattened. However, it looks like fatty kim may not realize how precarious his position is. I can't believe they tried another missile launch today. NUTS. Ballsy, though.

 

[C3D]

You need to read Pry's book. The whole thesis is that China keeps NORK around to launch that EMP weapon and have us retaliate only against them and not the PRC. It's pretty scary.

 

[Blimey]

Anti-missile systems will work against a single or very small number of launch vehicles. North Korea does not have a large stockpile of ICBM-size launchers...yet.

North Korea's current leader is probably not suicidal. Even if he is, his military commanders probably aren't. Such a strike by North Korea would potentially result in a massive cruise missile attack on all of their anti-aircraft systems. After that, American bombers could destroy most of North Korea's military infrastructure with conventional munitions. Then...complete regime change and complete North Korean disarmament.

What would happen to South Korea and our forces on the border from a probably simultaneous strike (along with attempted attack against U.S.) across the DMV, who knows?

SK would not be hit that badly (i mean relatively speaking), there is no sea of fire that NK can send down south North Korea Can’t Really Turn Seoul Into a “Sea of Fire”

I don't think NK would preemptively attack, but if Kim keeps doing what he's doing and he ends up believing that he is about to be taken out of power and/or killed, I suppose he may just do whatever the hell he can out of spite.

 

[Plater1]

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Ehhh their nukes would have to make it past the Sea of Japan first.

No they don't. If there is a nuke warhead in a satellite it's already in play. They have 2 satellites that orbit the US at 300miles altitude every day. If there is a nuke in them and they detonate it, game over.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

You need to read Pry's book. The whole thesis is that China keeps NORK around to launch that EMP weapon and have us retaliate only against them and not the PRC. It's pretty scary.

This is my paranoid thinking as well. I haven't read prys book but I've read a lot of articles he's written.

In in the record stating that I think the chicoms will use NK as a patsie. They will sacrifice NK like the idiot unhinged pawns they are. CHINA will have NK knock us back to the 18th century and China will be able do anything they want including take the entire Pacific basin, africa, and helll even colonize the US West coast.

And nothing would happen to them. They wouldn't care if NK was turned into a parking lot they would have all the resources they need for expansion and their population.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

You don't need an ICBM. How heavy a warhead would it take to create a serious EMP? Serious question. I don't follow that stuff.
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 - Wikipedia
I just find it hard to believe NK is concerned with normal uses of satellites.

Nk lives like the Amish. They have no legit usage for satellites, yet they have them.

There were some Russian scientists who claimed the USSR was working on small yield warheads designed similar to a neutron bomb that emits lots of gamma rays, but was instead designed as a high yield emp device. Well when the USSR broke up and Russia went to hell and stopped paying in the 90s they went to work for NK the story goes the NK was almost to the point of perfecting a super EMP in the late 90s early 00s.

And here we are today, crazy fat boy just rolled out multie long range mobile ICONs we didn't even know they had, but appearances indicate they are similar to what China has their DF 41.

DF-41 - Wikipedia

Which have a range of 9000miles. Where the he'll did these come from? How did NK conceal their development?

Underestimate them at your peril.

 

[Airborneguy]

Those missiles were fake, like every parade missile is. Their real ones barely go a few hundred miles. Sometimes not even off the pad, like today's "historic" launch.

I find it hysterical when people talk of NK as a "force" to be feared. They are a joke, and always will be. The second they become an actual threat, that threat will be neutralized.

The best recent piece of intel, simple and direct, was a quote China allowed to be published last week after the presidential visit. In sum and substance, they admitted or at least feigned that they do not have much influence over the hermit kingdom. This was either to distance themselves from the fray, or green light Trump to take action. Either way it shows that NK is officially persona non-grata with China and we can do what we need to do. Which we will.

NK is a joke. Anything else is conspiracy nonsense.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Former director of CIA woolesly agrees with Dr. Pry

https://www.google.com/amp/thehill....kill-up-to-90-percent-of-americans-at-any?amp

 

[Blimey]

This is my paranoid thinking as well. I haven't read prys book but I've read a lot of articles he's written.

In in the record stating that I think the chicoms will use NK as a patsie. They will sacrifice NK like the idiot unhinged pawns they are. CHINA will have NK knock us back to the 18th century and China will be able do anything they want including take the entire Pacific basin, africa, and helll even colonize the US West coast.

And nothing would happen to them. They wouldn't care if NK was turned into a parking lot they would have all the resources they need for expansion and their population.

If the US falls the Chinese economy does also. Furthermore, if the US actually got smacked up and lost vast amounts of its population, but its carrier fleets and nuclear subs were still floating around the world (as they would be), everybody would know that if they set any foreign troops on US soil they would be nuked.

If the entire grid in the US went down it would suck but western allies would step in to assist and the stronger ones (uk, france, england, australia) would help ensure security.

I assume NK doesn't have a nuke on their satellite because their nukes are still immature and the size is known. I assume if the US felt there was a nuke floating above it on a satellite that satellite would be taken out (this is possible--it's much easier to do than taking out ICBMs).

I agree with airborneguy that at this time at least NK does not pose any threat to the US. It is merely a paper tiger. Eventually it may pose a threat. From a humanitarian perspective of course it is a present threat to its millions of citizens, who are treated like crap.

Although much of NK lives like the stone age the rich and connected still enjoy luxuries.

 

[tirwin1]

I also believed that China purposely allowed NK to do whatever it wants to keep the US off balance. Trump appears to be changing the rules of that game and telling the chinese they are responsible.

Scott Adams' Blog

I'm not entirely convinced by this. But Scott Adams was the one guy predicting a trump victory over a year before the election. His point of view is unique.

 

[Cooolone]

Hyper Bullshit... Korea doesn't have the capability... Nothing to see here folks!

 

[Mosinitis]

Sooner or later they will have capability to attack us. Threatening them only helps KJU maintain control. The only viable solution to this is to back off on propaganda and demonization, start negotiations to establish a long term frame work for Korea reunification. No deadlines, just when A & B happens, it moves to stage C. Unfortunately we will never do it, because are foreign policy is based on 4 year election cycles and bullshit state of the union speeches. I am better then my predecessor politics.

 

[Airborneguy]

If there was a satellite above us carrying nuclear material, we'd know it and take it out. There's really people who believe this nonsense? That a country like NK has developed a satellite and bomb advanced enough to not give off any sort of radioactive signature? Oh jeez.

 

[Phazer]

If there was a satellite above us carrying nuclear material, we'd know it and take it out.

Correct. Anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles are a mature technology. The U.S. and Russia have been able to shoot down satellites with fighter-launched missiles since the 1980s. After all, one of the first missions in modern warfare is to blind your adversary by destroying their satellites (navigation, reconassiance, and communication).

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Correct. Anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles are a mature technology. The U.S. and Russia have been able to shoot down satellites with fighter-launched missiles since the 1980s. After all, one of the first missions in modern warfare is to blind your adversary by destroying their satellites (navigation, reconassiance, and communication).

The naval academy is even teaching young officers to navigate with sextants expecting GPS to not be available.

 

[GOPerfect]

North Korea is an absolute joke. In saying that though, we should indeed take them as a serious threat.

Kim dong wong fuey may be nuts, but he is dangerous. He is dangerous because he REALLY believes what he says. He is dangerous because he does NOT understand his limitations. He really believes that he, his Country and his Military are forces to be rekoned with.

This idea and threat of a North Korean EMP is a real threat. If you know anything about the EMP dangers, you know it would not take much to take out the grids or large parts of them.

He does not have to destroy all of our grids' power, he would feel a giant win if 5% was affected. \

He is a very dangerous man, his Generals are dangerous. They are dangerous because they know in their hearts and minds that they are powerful. That is the threat!

 

[Phazer]

The naval academy is even teaching young officers to navigate with sextants expecting GPS to not be available.

Hopefully the officer candidates take this seriously. Any conflict with Russia or China will probably result in allied GPS satellites being destroyed.

Years ago, the military was even considering placing some communication satellites beyond the moon's orbit so that they'd be out of ASAT missile range.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

North Korea is an absolute joke. In saying that though, we should indeed take them as a serious threat.

Kim dong wong fuey may be nuts, but he is dangerous. He is dangerous because he REALLY believes what he says. He is dangerous because he does NOT understand his limitations. He really believes that he, his Country and his Military are forces to be rekoned with.

This idea and threat of a North Korean EMP is a real threat. If you know anything about the EMP dangers, you know it would not take much to take out the grids or large parts of them.

He does not have to destroy all of our grids' power, he would feel a giant win if 5% was affected. \

He is a very dangerous man, his Generals are dangerous. They are dangerous because they know in their hearts and minds that they are powerful. That is the threat!

"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face." - Mike Tyson

 

[Jmac00]

rule #1: never, ever underestimate your enemy.....regardless of who or what it is.

North Korea will be the false flag that drags America into a conflict, while we are messing with this little prick, China will be ready to go.

The one thing America has that no other country on earth has.......is the second amendment

The important part of the 2A that our enemies should remember is this:

In 2014/2015 AMERICA issued over 14 million big game hunting licenses. Think about that. Thats more high powered rifles in civilian hands than the 5 largest armies in the world combined, including china. Thats 14 million people that can actually shoot accurately and can be ready to go with in hours, not days and that doesn't include all "others" with firearms.

North Korea will be the ignition that starts a world conflict. China is the guy to look out for. Russia will jump in after the SHTF. we can only hope our "allies" will back us and not sit on the side lines

 

[Frankly]

Shielding our electric grid and being able to manufacture chips and electronics domestically should be a priority for more than just threats from adversaries like NK and China.

There is the sun.

 

[MilesTeg]

The naval academy is even teaching young officers to navigate with sextants expecting GPS to not be available.

Yup still taught in the marine corps. The navigators still have to learn how to navigate a C-130 with a sextant. I was a flight mech (flying crewchief) and I cross trained in order to learn it.

 

[Jmac00]

does an EMP effect batteries? like automotive and Solar deep cycle?

 

[masterswimmer]

Serious question here.

I'm not fully versed on EMP attacks, however I've been made aware that electronics are completely at risk barring a Faraday cage for protection. Since our newer automobiles are so heavily computer reliant they would become lawn ornaments in an EMP attack. Wouldn't the same hold true for all our Air Force and Naval arsenals? Including all the armaments and ordinances they carry? How would the sophisticated missiles hit their mark, if they could even be launched?

 

[zzrguy]

Ehhh their nukes would have to make it past the Sea of Japan first.

Its not a missile base weapon it is satellite based weapon.

My guess is the Chi-Coms would probably pile on with us on fatboy Kim for messing with their numero uno trading partner. If they collapsed our economy, what happens to theirs? If we stop buying lawn chairs and Christmas tree lights, they have a problem.

Never under estimate national pride winning over greed.